Total newb with broken Smoke Stik

[lilirose]

Hi, I'm lilirose. I am currently living in the Netherlands, though I will be moving home to Ireland in a couple of weeks.

I've smoked coffin nails since I was 14 (I'm 40 now) and for the last decade I have been made incredibly sick by them but still could not stop.

I came to vaping via an Arizer Extreme Q, using a substance which, I understand, should not be mentioned on this forum. After discovering medicinal vaping (hope that terminology is not forbidden), and as an addicted analog tobacco smoker, I tried a disposable e-cig. I realised immediately that I'd found exactly what I needed to stop destroying my health and stenching up my house and clothing with analog smoke.

I bought a Smoke Stik Hendu starter kit yesterday, and it's so much better than the disposables. But today I see that one of my batteries is cracked where it joins to the cartomizer, and is leaking a brown stain onto the outside silver bit of the battery pack, which I'm pretty sure is battery fluid. I did nothing that would cause this, so I'll bring it back to the shop tomorrow, but I'm wondering...did I pick a bad brand?

I know I will probably want to move on to a better model eventually, but for now money is tight, and (I think?) that once I return to Ireland that e-cigs and e-cig fluid that contain nicotine are not legally available. I'm not ready to give up the nicotine, so I'm hoping I can stock up on cartomizers for the Smoke Stik before I return to Ireland, if the shop is willing to replace my broken Smoke Stik...or would it be better to ask for a refund and order supplies online?

I really need a vape that I can use in public without causing offence. I chose the Smoke Stik Hendu because it can't be mistaken for an analog, but it still looks good. In other words, I'm not ready for mods made from torches or maglites. I still need something that looks and feels like an analog. Maybe that will change, but remember- I'm a newb.

All advice welcome!

 

[Stosh]

Welcome to ECF!! I'm not sure what may be available to you in Ireland, but there is a section for UK Forum that may be helpful.
You didn't mention how much you've been smoking, pack a day? more? less? Depending on the amount, what might work best for you would be different.

You will need 5 posts in the newbie forum to be able to post elsewhere, it's the way the mods keep the spammers. trolls and advertisers from bothering the nice people of ECF!!!

 

[lilirose]

Well, over here analog packs come in more than one size. I was smoking 25-35 analog cigs a day. I've been trying to quit for more than five years, but the level of nicotine replacement has been pretty much the same when I manage to keep away from the analogs (and I've tried every form of nicotine replacement that a person can buy). The e-cig just gives me so much more satisfaction than gum or mints or patches and it doesn't poison my kids.

Right now I'm using a "strong tobacco" cartomizer. It's kept me happy for the last eight hours and so far has not faded, though it might go at any moment?

 

[Stosh]

Across the pond here.... that would be a pack to a pack 1/2 a day. You may want to look at a very slightly thicker than a cigarette model, the battery will last you near all day, and fade in power less as the charge fades.

The slim cig look-a-likes are cute, but may not provide enough power. I tried one early on, and had 3 batteries hooked up to chargers while I puffed on my fourth, hoping the charge light would go out before the last battery quit...

Something like this Vision eGo may suit, (it's nowhere near as big as the picture make it look)

 

[kalifornia]

^ thats a funny picture, op if you can get an ego- do it

 

[lilirose]

^ thats a funny picture, op if you can get an ego- do it

I've had a look at the e-go, and it seems more what I want. Especially since one can get clove-flavoured liquid for it- that's how I got addicted to analogs, because I loved those cloves. If I had a clove e-cig I think I would be happy for the rest of my life!

 

[Stosh]

There's clove flavored e-cig liquid available, but I can't recommend any...
never tried it in the cig form or e-cig form...

 

[lilirose]

BTW, Stosh, I would not be opposed to using a mod at home and a more conventional-looking e-cig in public (I travel by plane quite a bit, and I expect a mod would raise some questions with security!). You seem knowledgeable- what would you recommend?

 

[Stosh]

I've carried eGo on the plane with no issues, and pack my mods (boxes that look like detonators) in my checked luggage, put them in my camera case along with spare batteries, charger. They expect to see batteries in a camera case....

 

[Allazar]

Hello lilirose...

First, let me say that I am sorry that you are experiencing a problem with the PV! My very first PV was a Smoke Stik purchased more than one year ago and the batteries are still going strong today! Here are some things that I would like to suggest to you, that many people here at ECF may not know, since I am very familiar with their products and my mother uses one every day!

1. If you contact Smoke Stik themselves, they have absolutely incredible customer service, and will replace any battery that quits working as long as you have been using it only with their cartomizers. This is for the lifetime of the battery, not a 6 month or 1 year warranty.

2. While I can not physically see your device, I can almost certainly tell you that it is not battery fluid that is leaking from the device, but the flavored ejuice that is leaking from the cartomizers instead. If it was battery fluid, then it would be burning the skin from your fingers!

3. Smoke Stik will send cartomizers (and all of their products) to almost anywhere in the world, and any part of Europe. They have both cartomizers that contain nicotine, and those that do not!

4. It is possible that the battery is cracked, but if you contact Smoke Stik's customer service directly then they will replace it, if that is indeed the case.

If you have any questions, or would like some advice, then please feel free to send me a private message here on ECF as I have many different Smoke Stik products, and have never had any issues with dealing with their customer support staff! Smoke Stik is one of if not the highest quality products in automatic batteries, and is designed for ease of use, and they pride themselves on standing behind their products. No other company I am aware of will warranty their batteries indefinately!

Here is a link to their website. http://www.smokestik.com/

If you go to this link and click on the contact tab, then it has the information to contact their customer service. Please let me know if you have any problems.

P.S. Smoke Stik's entire European operations are based in the Netherlands! If you call the toll free number at their website they will get you fixed right up. The retail shop is unlikely to do that, but Smoke Stik will!

 

[AmandaMarie]

Welcome to ECF lilirose!!
I have been cig free since Oct '11! and fully combustion free for 3 months!!Thank goodness for vaporazation! I use the portable version from arizer and love it as well I have used egos and have recently ventured into the world of 6 volt vaping I personally have been using SmokeStik since Nov '11 and loving them! The leaking you are seeing has got to be some e liquid coming from the cartomizer so no worries! just give them a call 1-877-964-7800 ext. 400 and they will get you all straightened out!! I use my SmokeStik whenever I go out they just came out with yummy flavors too my favorite is the cherry!!! Good luck to you!
Happy ing!

 

[Katya]

Hi, Lilirose and welcome to ECF!

Smokestik is a very popular brand and I myself still use it when I'm out and about! I love my Hendu battery!

If you bought it at a retail store, they might or might not replace it, but you will be taken care of for sure if you contact Smokestik reps here on ECF--they have their own subforum and are extremely helpful and guaratee their products to be free of defects. I don't know how many posts you need to be able to start a thread at their subforum, so I brought you a quote from their Associate, Lorikay13:

Yes.....sometimes even a SmokeStik has a problem. We have a highly trained tech support team waiting to diagnose and resolve your issues.....and the fastest way to get that done is not through this forum. It's a carefully crafted illusion that I don't sleep.....where I usually am is in the SmokeStik server.....so if you want fast service you need to use the email account or the telephone. (yes...we DO answer our voicemail)

service@us.smokestik.com ATTN LORRAINE for order or product issues. If it's something I can't handle technically I will kick it over to Steve.

Also.....if your a new user or a new user to ecigs.....and you really want to get treated right....use the email or phone. Posting in the open forum where I am not allowed to reply isn't going to get you any real help. And 9.9 times out of 10 all it takes is a polite email and your problem is solved.

So, I suggest you email Lorikay at the email address given and ask to speak with her. She will most likely email you back and/or give you her toll free number so that you can talk to her directly. She's helped me in the past. She's great! If I'm not mistaken, Smokestik has an European operation and they will be able to send you a replacement battery without a problem--they may ask you to send the bad battery to them for inspection.

From what you're describing, I suspect your cartomizer is leaking.

Good luck and feel free to send me a PM if you need help.

 

[lilirose]

Thanks all. I do definitely see a tiny hairline crack on my battery (it's in one of the little notches at the base), and that battery has a funny slight metallic smell that my second battery doesn't have at all. My roommate says "it smells like a damaged battery". But I'm charging the thing right now and it's not getting hot or doing anything weird. I am concerned about that tiny crack though.

I appreciate the advice- I'll contact the people you all have referred me to, who hopefully can tell me how to get in touch with the Dutch distributor before I go back to Ireland.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Be careful about using damaged batteries IMO.

I know I will probably want to move on to a better model eventually, but for now money is tight, and (I think?) that once I return to Ireland that e-cigs and e-cig fluid that contain nicotine are not legally available.

Here's a list of UK and Irish based Vendors:
UK and Ireland Suppliers
And there's a Vapefest happening in Ireland on Sept. 15, 2012
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...7-vapefest-ireland-september-15th-2012-a.html
Good Luck.

 

[Allazar]

Thanks all. I do definitely see a tiny hairline crack on my battery (it's in one of the little notches at the base), and that battery has a funny slight metallic smell that my second battery doesn't have at all. My roommate says "it smells like a damaged battery". But I'm charging the thing right now and it's not getting hot or doing anything weird. I am concerned about that tiny crack though.

I appreciate the advice- I'll contact the people you all have referred me to, who hopefully can tell me how to get in touch with the Dutch distributor before I go back to Ireland.

ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is a damaged battery!!! Stop charging it immediately please for safety reasons!!!

You need to take that battery and put it in a plastic container with strong salt water in it...immediately. Please STOP trying to charge it as it does sound as if it is damaged and that can be very dangerous!!!!

No electronic equipment that has visible damage should EVER be used. Even if you're not sure what exactly the problem might be NEVER use electronic equipment that might be damaged. Please contact the company, and they will replace the battery without question, but please STOP trying to charge it because you or others could get hurt!!!

I urge you to disconnect it from the charger, as all sorts of bad things could happen if you continue to charge it! PM incoming lilirose!!!

Edit: I realize that my post sounds a touch frantic... but this is something that could cause a fire or explosion by charging a damaged battery!

 

[lilirose]

Allazar, I PMed you back, but as I said, the battery did recharge with no issues. I won't recharge it again before I contact the company. It really sucks though, as I'll be travelling from tomorrow until Monday and won't have a chance to get a replacement before then, unless they are sold at the airport. I don't want to go back to analog now!

 

[lilirose]

Also- not sure if I should start another thread for this- but I seem to have an everlasting cartomizer. I've been vaping like a complete fiend for the last day and a half (and hitting it far more than I'd do with analog due to the expense) and somehow I can still "mouth inhale" and get extremely visible vapour from a strong tobaccco cartomizer that I started 36 hours ago.

I can't believe this device and now I'm wondering why I didn't explore this option before now. With my disposable I was still seeking an excuse to turn to analog. Now I'm completely satisfied and ready to leave combustion behind me forever!

 

[Katya]

Lilirose, there is no such thing as an everlasting cartomizer--unless you keep refilling it. Are you?

One SmokeStik cartomizer contains about 1 ml of eliquid--or 20-25 drops. One drop of eliquid will give you 4-6 puffs, depending on the Wattage. The best case scenario: 25 (drops) x 6 (puffs) + 150 puffs. And that means you'll be vaping your carto dry--which will cause burning of the filler. You may be burning the filler and inhaling smoke again--for all I know. Those are facts--not just an opinion.

Please contact SmokeStik customer service.

 

[stv4SC]

Lilirose said medicinal LOL. Where's. My medicine!

 

[lilirose]

Lilirose, there is no such thing as an everlasting cartomizer--unless you keep refilling it. Are you?

No, I'm not refilling! I actually intended "everlasting cartomizer" as a joke- should have included a smiley to indicate that. My very first e-cig was a disposable that was supposed to last the equivalent of 60 cigarettes, and it died on me in less than six hours.

I do think I would taste and smell the difference between nicotine vapor and smoke/fumes from combusting polyfill! It is a strong cartridge, as I said- I don't have enough experience to say, but maybe I'm taking smaller hits than the manufacturer intended.